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Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta was established 120 years ago. A group of nine Sisters of Mercy from Callan Convent had arrived in Sydney from Ireland in November 1888 to establish a school for girls and found a convent in the Parramatta area.
Today the school population exceeds 1,000 students and the day to day running of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta has been transferred from the Sisters to the College Board, College Executive and the first lay Principal.
Although a new era has begun, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta still continues to be influenced and inspired by the values and traditions of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters who established this great school.
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta provides first class facilities for its students. The recently opened Janet Woods Building, for instance, features six state-of-the-art Science laboratories, a Botany room, modern domestic and commercial kitchens, a spacious, contemporary library, a senior common room and a self-serve canteen.
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta is proud of the excellence achieved by its HSC students. In 2010, students achieved well above State average results in 30 courses, with 15 courses achieving at least five marks above State average, English Standard and Drama 10 marks above State average and Textiles and Design more than 12 above State average. |
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Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta will develop young women who embrace their role in society with confidence and self knowledge to live Mercy values.
OLMC is a Catholic girls' college that promotes Mercy values and a commitment to helping to empower the disadvantaged in our society.
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta is committed to the spiritual, moral and intellectual growth of each individual.
OLMC welcomes and nurtures the uniqueness of each individual's ability, gifts and talents.
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta provides an education that is relevant and forward thinking and that respects its history and traditions.
OLMC provides an environment which promotes excellence. |
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Features of the curriculum at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta include:
• integration of the Mercy values of compassion, justice, dignity, excellence, service, stewardship and hospitality across all areas of the curriculum
• a technology rich learning environment
• a wide range of subject choices to School Certificate and Higher School Certificate levels, with student achievement consistently above State average
• special programs for gifted students and for those with specific learning needs
• a strong focus on literacy and numeracy
• VET courses to HSC level |
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During the past four years Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta has been developing its infrastructure to support an ICT integrated approach to teaching and learning. During that time notebook computers have been distributed to all teaching staff, interactive whiteboards have been installed in a number of rooms and data projectors and wireless facilities have been installed in every classroom within the College.
Most importantly Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta has worked with the teaching staff in developing their skills in the use of technology, particularly in the classroom. Over the past two years a number of ICT Integrators have been appointed. These Integrators have undertaken post graduate study in the use of ICT and work with the other teachers in developing learning programs based on the new technologies.
All students have been allocated notebooks by Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta for school and home use. |
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Students at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta have a range of leadership opportunities available to them which reflect the service model of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. While the College encourages student involvement in formal leadership, it also acknowledges the importance of each individual’s informal role as a leader, incorporating Mercy values in all her relationships with others.
At Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta, a student in Years 7 to 10 may be elected to a formal leadership role as a
• Homeroom Leader
• Mercy Action Leader
• Member of the Student Representative Council
• Colour House Leader
In addition to these positions, girls in Year 10 are invited to nominate for the position of Peer Support Leader. In this role girls offer support and guidance for Year 7 students during their first year at the College.
Year 11 students may be elected to the above positions for the first semester of their senior years. However, during Term 3, Year 11 students may nominate themselves for election to one of the for 26 senior leadership positions within the College, which include the four executive positions of Head Girl, Assistant Head Girl, SRC President and SRC Vice President. The other 22 senior leaders at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta are responsible for various portfolios which affect the student body such as debating and public speaking, creative and performing arts, assembly, liturgy, and Mercy action. These girls hold these leadership positions until the new Year 11 leaders are selected the following year. |
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Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta has traditionally had a very high number of students involved in the wide variety of sports offered at the College. All students are encouraged to become part of the sporting community in the sport of their choice and to take advantage of opportunities to try new sports as well as continuing to develop skills in the more familiar areas. Sports offered at the College include: AFL, Aquathon, Athletics, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cricket, Cross Country competitions, Dance, Diving, European Handball, Golf , Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Touch, Triathlon, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Water Polo.
In recognition of the importance of educating the whole person, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta also offers an extensive co-curricular program and students are encouraged to take part in a range of offerings. Activities include: Chess Club, Debating, Drama Ensemble, Duke of Edinburgh Environmental Action Group, Future Problem Solving, Mock Trial, Music (instrumental and vocal training as well as a wide variety of ensemble groups) Public Speaking, Readers' Group, Science Club, Shakespeare Festival, Social Justice (Amnesty International, Caritas Australia etc), Textiles Club, Titration Competition, Tournament of Minds, and Young Writers' Competitions. |
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